Brady, Gronkowski Carve Up Bears, As Patriots Rout Chicago 51-23
 Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were an unstoppable dup for the Patriots against the Bears on Sunday . (USA TODAY Images) |
The New England Patriots absolutely dismantled the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon in Foxboro by the score of 51-23.
This one was over by half-time as New England raced out to a 35-7 lead at the break as the Bears defense couldn’t slow down never mind stop the Patriots offense all day long. It was an ugly game for Chicago who disintegrated before our eyes in the final two minutes before the half, but was an even more impressive win for a Patriots squad that looked as bad a month ago as Chicago did today.
With Chicago banged up on defense, the immediate plan was to attack the middle of the field with TE Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots did attack the middle and the Bears had no answer for QB Tom Brady or Gronkowski on the day as those two time and again tortured the Bears secondary.
The Patriots defense showed up in a big way on Sunday as well, keeping the high-powered Chicago offense under wraps until this one was already in the books.
Here are some observations on Sunday’s victory:
Brady On Fire: Tom Brady was laser-sharp on the day, the vintage Brady that played today had as many touchdowns (five) as incompletions on the day, completing 30-35 for 354 yards, 5 touchdowns, zero interceptions and most importantly zero sacks. An even more telling stat on the day on how sharp Brady was, of his five incompletions, three were drops.
This was Brady’s best overall game by far in 2014 and having the offensive line intact and in-place on Sunday was huge. Brady had time to throw all day long and against a Bears pass rush that can after the passer.
Gronkowski With a Monster Game: We said in our pregame write up as well as an All-22 piece the place to attack the Bears was right down the middle with Gronk. And the Patriots did in spades. Gronkowski was immense on Sunday, virtually uncoverable as he came up time and again with big plays no matter who covered him.
The final numbers for the big man were 9 catches for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns before he left with dehydration in the third quarter. He is when healthy, the best all-around tight end in the business and besides in the passing game, he put some punishing blocks out there for the running game.
His best moments were the 46-yard touchdown where he was able to break contain, shake off a tackle then out-race the safeties and linebackers to the end zone. He also came thru on a 3rd and 21 when he caught 24 yard pass from Brady to set the Patriots up at the two. And in the second half, facing a 3rd and 14 from the 15-yard line, he caught a Brady pass to keep the sticks moving which eventually ended up with a NE touchdown.
The New England offense is so much better when a healthy Gronk is on the field, and today was notice to the rest of the league that the big man is back.
LaFell With A Career Day: As impressive as Gronkowski was in the passing game, WR Brandon LaFell was as well with career highs in receptions (11) and yards (124) and also had a nice touchdown reception. After some struggles in training camp as well as being blanked in the first two games, LaFell has been getting progressively better as the season winds on at the half-way point.
LaFell provides Brady with a big, physical target on the outside who isn’t afraid of contact and helps out with blocking in the running game. Brady targeted LaFell and Gronkowski 20 times on the day. And he completed 20 passes for 173-yards and four touchdowns.
Tim Wright Getting Work In: Playing mostly in the second half after Gronkowski sat down, TE Tim Wright continues to get more comfortable in the offense. Wright chipped in with some nice numbers as well, 7-catches, for 61 yards and a first half touchdown.
Patriots’ tight ends on the day? 16 catches on 16 targets, 273 yards and 4 touchdowns… Total domination in the middle of the field.
Defense Steps Up: The Patriots secondary was facing its stiffest challenge of the year with the Bears having plenty of weapons to bear in the passing game. The tandem of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner was more than up to the challenge.
They shadowed the Bears wide receivers and were a physical, blanketing presence throughout the game. The Bears passing game at the end of the day netted 231 yards but the vast majority was garnered long after this one was over. Good news for a team facing the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
The rush defense wasn’t great but again most of the damage being done late in the game when the game was out of hand. The pass rush was not good however as Jay Cutler had plenty of time to throw for most of the game.
Jonas Gray also had a nice day running the ball for the Patriots, providing a nice physical edge. Gray rushed 17 times for 86 yards.
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